Achillea (Yarrow)at Digging Dog

Achillea

Yarrow

Legend has it that Achilles used this plant to heal
his soldiers’ wounds after battle. As a folk
remedy, its leaves are prescribed to soothe abrasions
and toothache. We find this sturdy, dependable plant
the perfect remedy for many design situations. The broad, flat flower heads enhance horizontal elements, their colors blending with other perennials. Spicy smelling, fernlike foliage and strong
straight stems add to overall attractiveness. Spreading
and drought tolerant, Yarrow seems to thrive on
neglect, can handle ocean spray and will bloom again in
the fall if cut back in midsummer.

Named for the ivory-white color that the pale
yellow flowers turn with age, ‘Alabaster’ blooms late and, with dried seed heads, keeps our interest well into winter. Its form is stiff and upright and its foliage gray-green, making an excellent neighbor for Aster ‘Little Carlow’ or grasses such as Miscanthussinensis ‘Nippon’.

With imposing clusters of fire engine red
flowers heightened by prominent saffron yellow eyes and
a strong, self-supporting stance, this preeminent
German-bred Yarrow has a lot to offer.

Arising from airy and finely cut, grayish green foliage, its stiff, upright stems shoulder a fervid fiesta that continues
for months as the blooms age to soft apricot and
toasty orange shades, then finally to hushed golden
tones.

In clear creamy lemon hues, the large flattened
umbels are lifted on short and sturdy leafy stems above
a lacelike delicacy of green foliage. Later to bloom
and not as tall as most of our other Achillea
offerings, this softly colored AGM winner is an exemplary
choice for smaller gardens, given border frontage and
Aster ‘Lutetia’ as a companion.

We are proud to offer this stalwart old favorite.
For years, ‘Hoffnung’ has proven itself
to be a strong performer, faithfully producing fine
textured, feathery green, millefolium foliage and
apricot-colored flowers that fade to a sandstone
buff. Pair it with Lavandula ‘Imperial
Gem’ for complementary bloom color.

This truly architectural Yarrow blooms on three
different levels. Flowers, ranging in color from rust
to sandstone, blossom from terracotta buds at 16,
24 and 30 in. amidst a cool backdrop of green
fernlike leaves and upright stalks. ‘Inca
Gold’ combines well with the dark foliage of
Aster ‘Lady in Black’ or the
cream-colored flowers of Anthemis ‘Susanna Mitchell’.

The silver-gray filigree foliage, sturdy, upright flower stalks and abundant yellow-centered white flowers combine to give this attractive hybrid a crisp, refreshing look. Even on our windy coast, it remains steadfast and lively. In the rock garden, en masse, or contrasted with the bronze blades of Stipa arundinacea or the deep green foliage of Dracocephalum ‘Fuji Blue’, this plant will quickly become a favorite.

Just hearing this new, warm-colored Achillea’s name conjures a sweet and satisfying image. Finely dissected, grayish green foliage offsets paprika-toned buds and thick slices of small, individual old-gold florets. Position
‘Marmalade’ next to Kniphofia ‘Patricia Marrow’ and Nepeta ‘Joanna Reed’ so you can indulge in its rich autumnal shades.

Commended as the best of the red Achilleas, this Yarrow’s signature is its splendid horizontal mass of velvet-rich dark rosy red flowers. Tall resilient stalks clad in fine textured gray-green foliage bolster full flashy heads that last all summer and refuse to fade. Dutch bred ‘Red Velvet’ can harmonize with Sanguisorba ‘Red Thunder’ and Monarda ‘Jacob Cline’ for sumptuous color echoes.

Just like the seasoning, this vigorous Galaxy hybrid flavors the garden with a distinctively rich, red snappiness. The large flattened heads showcase gilded eyes, their bright rubescent coloring eventually fading to a deep pink hue, while delicate-looking green-gray foliage provides a tidy, composed counterpoint, Persicaria ‘Golden Arrow’ heightens the recipe.

Making its way from the Middle East to England in 1640, this refined form first caught our eye at Bernwode Plants, a small nursery in England.Making its way from the Middle East to England in 1640, this refined form first caught our eye at Bernwode Plants, a small nursery in England.

Large finely feathered broad leaves, bathed in hushed silvery greens, compose a sturdy well-groomed clump that looks impeccable all season. Luminous umbels of clustered pale cream flowers bloom later and longer than most Yarrows, affording a welcome place for the eye to rest amid the lush greens and more boisterous blooms associated with summer.

Dwarf Woolly Yarrow

Woolly, narrow, and finely feathered, small gray-green leaves knit a tidy, low growing mat that is both attractive and extremely drought tolerant. Tightset, flat clusters of perky lemon yellow flowers perch on 6 to 10 in. stems above dense soft-looking foliage. Championed as a choice candidate for clambering about the rockery, filling in small crannies, or edging a path, this tenacious charmer can pal around with Scutellaria ‘Texas Rose’, though it resents hot humid weather.

A cozy mélange of buff, creamy rose and deep antique pink distinguishes this lovely cultivar named after the German river that flows to the North Sea. Atop deeply feathered green leaves and staunch stems, the multicolored display is marked by light centered individual florets, lending a feminine flair to companions like Aster ‘Lutetia’ or Eryngium ‘Blaukappe’.

Customer Comment:

“Surfing the web for a special plant, I chanced on Digging Dog Nursery. I thought that any nursery that could create an Egyptian Gothic out of Anubis must have some pretty cool things going for it. I was right, and my first order was a pleasure. Well packed, healthy plants and extremely appealing people on the other side of the screen.”